European travellers heading to the UK now need to be in possession of an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to be able to travel to the country.

The ETA simply authorises travel to the UK and is not a visa which allows entry into the country, and it officially came into force on 2 April.

Travellers coming to the UK from Australia, Canada and the USA were already required to have RTA approval on 8 January, following an initial rollout last year for nationals from Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra, said: “Securing our borders is a foundation of the UK government’s Plan for Change and by digitising the immigration system, we are paving the way for a contactless UK border, ensuring visitors enjoy a seamless travel experience in the future.

“Expanding ETA worldwide cements our commitment to enhance security through technology and innovation”.

According to the UK Government: “Applying for an ETA is quick and simple through the UK ETA app and, with the vast majority of applicants currently receiving a decision automatically in minutes, spontaneous trips to the UK should still be possible. Prospective visitors can also apply on GOV.UK if they do not have access to a smartphone.

“Applicants provide their biographic and biometric details and answer questions on suitability and criminality. Once an applicant has successfully applied, their ETA is digitally linked to their passport.

While most applications are approved quickly, it is still recommended to allow up to 3 working days to account for the small number of cases that require additional review.

An ETA currently costs £10 and allows multiple visits to the UK of up to 6 months over a 2-year period, or until the holder’s passport expires - whichever is sooner. An ETA is not a visa, it is a digital permission to travel.

According to a post by the British Embassy on social media, people who hold a British or Irish passport do not need to apply for a visa.

To check if you need to apply for an ETA to travel to the UK, please click here.